Top 18 Castles around Hausen

The large wall at the rear of the ruins has been reinforced. The keep is also now dilapidated. To prevent anyone from climbing the tower, the lower staircase has been removed.

Saunt Ulric Castle is the largest of the three ruins. It is currently undergoing partial renovation. A small section is cordoned off, and caution is advised in other areas. However, the keep is accessible.

The castle of Haut-Ribeaupierre (Hohrappoltstein) was probably built during the turmoil of the Interregnum around the mid-13th century. It served as an outpost at a time when the King of France was planning to invade Alsace. Later, it served as an observation tower for early warning of forest fires. The entire castle complex is dominated by an imposing circular keep, which offers a magnificent view of the Alsatian plain and the surrounding mountain ridges.

The Saint Leo Chapel was built in the Romanesque Revival style on the site where the keep once stood. It was consecrated in 1894 and dedicated to Saint Leo. Inside, Martin painted medallions on the vault in the 11th-century style, depicting seven scenes from the life of Saint Leo. The windows, dating from 1895, depict the saints of Alsace, many of whom were members of the Counts of Eguisheim.

The so-called “palace of the lords of Eguisheim” refers to the original castle of Eguisheim, which was built in the 8th century by Eberhard, Duke of Alsace and nephew of Saint Odilia 1. This castle formed the centre of the village and gave rise to the unique concentric urban structure of Eguisheim, with the houses and streets built in circles around the castle. Although the original castle has largely disappeared, its remains are integrated into the Chapelle Saint-Léon, which was built on the site of the old keep. This chapel and the surrounding Place du Château Saint-Léon today form the symbolic heart of the village. Here you will also find the statue of Pope Leo IX, who was born in this castle in 1002.

Ulrichsburg is the most impressive and best-preserved of the three castles. It was built on the rocky promontory around the mid-13th century. Until the 15th century, it was the residence of the Rappoltstein family and therefore has little military significance. Remains still visible today include: - the square keep and the main building (12th century), - the knights' hall and the large residential tower (13th century), - the barbican in front of the entrance and the outer wall (14th century), - the Chapel of Saint Ulrich (15th century). Girsberg Castle, built around 1250 opposite Ulrichsburg, was intended to strengthen its defenses.

Among the four ruins that dominate Ribeauvillé, Saint Ulrich seems undoubtedly one of the most fascinating castle complexes in the Haute- Alsace. It used to control the strategic road that connected the Alsace plain with the upper Lièpvre valley. Witness to the power of the lords of Ribeaupierre, it was their main residence until its final abandonment in the 16th century. It has different architectural styles: Romanesque parts are combined with Gothic and even Renaissance elements. Not far away, Girsberg Castle was built in the 13th century to house a new branch of the Ribeaupierre family: the house is still clearly visible there. Haut-Ribeaupierre was certainly built during the troubled period of the Great Interregnum, around the middle of the 13th century. on the site of a first castle, probably from the 10th century: it will serve as an advance post during the planned invasion of Alsace by the King of France, and then as a watchtower intended to prevent forest fires. The entire building is dominated by an imposing circular keep that offers beautiful views of the Alsace plain and the adjacent mountain ridges. A fourth castle was recently discovered under Saint Ulrich. Source: https://www.chateauxfortsalsace.com/fr/chateau/le-chateau-du-girsberg/

The Alsatian town of Kaysersberg, with the castle of the same name, is a historic specialist workshop that invites you to take a leisurely walk. There are numerous beautiful photo opportunities here, and there are also cozy places to stop for refreshments.